Iceland

The initiative to start the Olweus program in Iceland came through Thorlakur Helgason, and icelandich lecturer at the teaching College in reykjavik, who attended training as an Olweus Instructor in Bergen in 2001-2002.

Reduced levels of bullying, despite troubled times

Results

The Olweus Schools in Iceland have experienced an average reduction in the level of bullying of about two percentage points since the start in 2004, which is equivalent to 18% relative to the initial values.

Development

The Icelandic Olweus Project started in 2002, when the current national coordinator for the program in Iceland, Thorlakur Helgason, traveled to Bergen to train as an Olweus Instructor. In the spring of 2004, a group of future instructors was gathered at Reykholt, north of the capital Reykjavik, at the farm of history writer Snorre Sturlason. This first group of instructors assisted 25 Schools in implementing the program, from Reykjarnes in the South West to Akureyri in the North. As of today, more than 100 of Iceland’s 190 schools have implemented the program, which means that more than 70% of all Icelandic primary school children use the program.

Continuous work

In spite of the financially troubling times in Iceland, their work has been continuous and active throughout the years. The reduced levels of bullying have been maintained through regular follow-up by the Icelandic National Support Group.